Illinois National Guard (ING) Grant Program

For more information, contact ISAC, a National Guard unit, or the college financial aid office.

Eligibility

To be a qualified applicant, an individual must:  

• Be an Illinois National Guard member, defined as meeting one of these two criterion:
  • be active in the Illinois National Guard or
  • based on legislative changes effective beginning with the 2004-05 academic year, have been active in the Illinois National Guard for at least five consecutive years and have been called to federal active duty service for at least six months and be within 12 months after their discharge date from the Illinois National Guard
• Have completed one full year of service in the Illinois National Guard
• Be an enlisted member or an officer
• Be enrolled at an Illinois public 2- or 4-year college
• Not be in default on any student loan, nor owe a refund on any state or federal grant
• Maintain an acceptable grade point average (GPA) according to the policy determined by the applicant's college
• Allow sufficient mailing time to make sure ISAC receives a complete application on or before the deadline date, based on the first term for which the applicant wishes to receive funds each academic year. For 2005-06:
  • October 1, 2005 - Full Year Consideration
  • March 1, 2006 - Only 2nd Semester (2nd/3rd Quarter) and Summer Consideration
  • June 15, 2006 - Only Summer Term Consideration

Legislation effective beginning with the 2004-05 academic year stipulates that those individuals who have been active in the Illinois National Guard for at least five consecutive years, had their studies interrupted by being called to federal active duty service for at least six months, and meet eligibility requirements in addition to those listed above may be eligible to receive an additional year of ING Grant Program eligibility. Eligibility under this legislation is determined by the Education/Incentives Branch of the Military Personnel Office in Springfield, Illinois. Questions regarding eligibility status under this legislation should be directed to the individual's chain of command, or to the Education/Incentives Branch of the Military Personnel Office at 217.761.3782.

Illinois National Guard members who have been called to federal active duty service may also be qualified applicants for the Illinois Veteran Grant Program administered by ISAC. More details are provided at College Zone's Illinois Veteran Grant Program page.

How to Apply

Applicants can obtain an Illinois National Guard Grant Application from College Zone, or by requesting it from the National Guard unit or the college's financial aid office. The complete application must be received at ISAC's Deerfield office on or before the deadline date. ISAC will send each qualified applicant an eligibility letter, which should be provided immediately to the financial aid office of the qualified applicant's college. (ISAC's processing time is approximately four weeks.) Also, this grant must be applied for each academic year by the deadline date.

To receive full-year consideration, applications must be received on or before October 1 of the academic year for which assistance is requested. For spring- and summer-term consideration, the deadline date is March 1. For summer-term consideration only, applications must be received on or before June 15.

How Funds Are Disbursed

ISAC works with the college to disburse funds for this program. The college certifies student eligibility and then submits a payment request on behalf of the student. It may take up to eight weeks after the date that ISAC processes the payment request before funds are received at the college.

Depending on the college, students may be responsible for payment until program funds are received. Qualified applicants who are awaiting receipt of funds from this program should contact the Financial Aid Office or Business Office to determine the college's policy.

Click here to download the Illinois National Guard Grant Application.

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